The overall
research goal of this grant is to understand the magnetic properties of
exchange coupled nanocomposites with a vision to enhance their magnetic
properties. The main objectives of this research project are to: (1) Explore novel synthesis technique
to form exchange coupled magnetic nanocomposite, (2) better understand the magnetic properties of these materials,
and (3) involve undergraduate/graduate
students in research in the field of magnetic nanomaterials.
After successful synthesis of
synthesis of CoFe2O4-Fe3O4 exchange
coupled magnetic nanocomposites using hydrothermal technique, students are
working on two major projects viz. (CoFe2O4)oxide-oxide(CoO/NiO/CuO/MnO)
nanocomposites, Figure 1, and La2O3 (Y2O3/Sm2O3)-Fe2O3
nanocomposites, Figure 2 (Nugget). To our knowledge there are no reports on
oxide-oxide FM-AFM nanocomposite materials prepared via ball milling. The
research efforts in the direction of oxide based exchange coupled magnetic
nanocomposite is driven by the fact that these composites are relatively light
weight and are environmentally stable compared to metal-oxide based exchange
coupled magnetic nanocomposites. Thus, these composites may find application in
designing light weight magnetic components especially for high temperature and
space applications.
During the
year 2007-2008 two undergraduate students completed their senior research
projects under this grant. One graduate student joined the doctoral program at
the University of North Carolina. Two more graduate students are going to join
doctoral program at the University of Alabama, and the University of Michigan.
Four peer reviewed articles were published with the support of this grant.
Papers were presented at the MMM conference and March-APS 2009 meeting. Two
more papers will be presented at the IEEE-Intermag in May 2009.
